The announcement of the book from Marah Woolf piqued my interest so much that while I’m not the biggest fan of the witch story, I decided to give her a chance. It was not the right decision, as this novel, praised by Instagramers, is not that remarkable. You can even say that reading it is more frustrating than satisfying.
Poor sick girl and imperious guardian
The plot begins with Vianne (the main character) meeting Ezra with a young man whom she has bestowed on her because, in order to recover from demonic fever, she must leave her homeland. There is a dialogue, there are some emotions between them, but we as readers do not know anything about these characters, so the whole thing is taken very dry, as a simple description. The story starts two years later when the girl returns and tries to convince everyone (especially herself) that she doesn’t love Ezra anymore. She poses as a strong, independent and overwhelmed witch who wants to help the Congregation, i.e. a group to which she and her two sisters belong. Unfortunately, contact with a former lover is inevitable,
What, where, when
It is worth adding here that the whole thing takes place in relatively modern times, sometimes things such as Netflix or zombie movies are mentioned, and the characters even have cars. An additional element, however, is an element of magic and the aforementioned demons, which are currently trying to break into the human world, because the contract signed in the past by the wizard Merlin (under which they held their territory) is just expiring. Unfortunately, here again the description may confuse you. It sounds quite interesting to me, but believe me, the author presents it all very chaotically and before the reader catches all the information relevant to the image of the world, plus she will break through Vianne’s numerous arguments about Ezra … a half of the novel passes.
Very interesting sisters and a demon
However, you cannot complain about the other characters. The main character’s sisters are also witches, but with interesting characters and powers (plus a very nice family relationship). In addition, the demon mentioned in the announcement is also able to win the reader’s sympathy (mainly through funny comments and a very great faith in himself and his skills or beauty). Ezra himself, on the other hand, is a typical selfish, egocentric, who mainly wants to dominate Vianne under the pretext of being protective (and in the end he always seems to think about himself). Of course, he is handsome, dignified and imperious. I could devote a separate paragraph about the person who is in love with him, but it is worth knowing that she is naive, looped in her feelings that do not result from anything meaningful, plus at times terribly irrational. Even the thread of her powers does not save her creation. So you need to be prepared to repeat the same sentences that “she doesn’t feel anything anymore” or that she “misinterpreted Ezra’s behavior” (at times it sounded almost like the statements of victims of violence who have no self-esteem at all).
So what? Netflix in the castle?
While reading, I had the impression that the writer was not entirely sure in what reality she should set her novel, so what she conveniently suited was taken from the present day, and the rest she did as in fantasy. Although demons threaten everything and it is mentioned that people die and it is not easy to live in these times, we have not been presented with too many skirmishes, scary creatures and fights. The world presented has potential, but in my opinion it is treated quite shallowly.
It’s better! Oh no …
I would like to say that the whole book is weak in my opinion, but I cannot. Because honestly I must admit that after the events of about 270 pages (the book is 444 pages) I got involved. Vianne herself is still not the best character, but the situation eventually develops more and readers are served more fictional meat. Unfortunately, the cliffhanger on the last page broke this just building up a better impression. I understand the suspense, but what the author did only upset me, as she literally moved the only climax (she doesn’t take sex between Ezra and Vianna as such) to the second volume. This is not done.
Forget spell, please?
This book could have been better, more refined and with a more developed character of the main character. Unfortunately, it is not like that, and its ending is simply annoying. It is a waste of time to read books that are absorbed only after more than half of their volume.
